Check out all the goals from Wednesday's Barclays Premier League action.

Which way did it go? Sunderland's Steven Fletcher vies with Swansea City's Chico Flores in the English Premier League match at The Stadium of Light. Picture: Graham Stuart Source: AFP

THE post-Mario Balotelli era at Manchester City started in lacklustre fashion as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers that prevented them from making up ground on Manchester United.

Victory for City would have cut United's lead to just two points but instead Alex Ferguson's side will tackle Southampton tomorrow with an opportunity to re-open a seven-point lead at the Premier League summit.

AC Milan claim Balotelli has agreed to join them and the troublesome Italian striker is expected to complete a switch to San Siro on Wednesday, but City could have done with some extra firepower at Loftus Road.

An injury to Vincent Kompany obliged the champions to start with Spanish midfielder Javi Garcia at centre-back, but they began with both Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero in attack as they sought to exploit bottom club QPR's defensive frailties.

Joleon Lescott blazed an early chance over the crossbar from close range, while Pablo Zabaleta headed against the bar from a David Silva cross and Aguero had a goal ruled out for offside.

Adel Taarabt provided a reminder of QPR's threat with a low shot that Joe Hart had to keep out but the hosts were indebted to Julio Cesar for a superb save to deny Gareth Barry and keep the scores level at half-time.

City added a third striker to the mix in the second half in the shape of Edin Dzeko, but still the goal eluded them, with Aguero shooting over from 12 yards before Julio Cesar produced another fine reflex save to repel Silva.

QPR remain bottom of the table, but they are now just four points from safety.

Sergio Arguero of Manchester City is pursued by Stephane Mbia (C) and Esteban Granero (L) of QPR in the EPL match at Loftus Road. Picture: Mike HewittSource: Getty Images

Newcastle United claimed their first away win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa that further deepened the gloom hanging over Paul Lambert's side.

French debutant Moussa Sissoko teed up Papiss Cisse for Newcastle's 19th-minute opener and another Frenchman, Yohan Cabaye, made it 2-0 just after the half hour with a glorious, dipping half-volley.

Villa stirred in the second half, hitting back with an early penalty from Christian Benteke, but Newcastle held on despite late pressure from the home side.

Eliminated from both the League Cup and the FA Cup by lower-league opposition last week, Villa have now slipped into the Premier League relegation zone to boot, while Newcastle climb one place to 15th.

Wigan Athletic capitalised on Villa's slip-up by storming back from 2-0 down at Stoke City to earn a 2-2 draw that lifted them out of the bottom three.

Goals from Ryan Shawcross and Peter Crouch looked to have put the hosts in command, but James McArthur's fine goal immediately halved the deficit and Franco Di Santo equalised in the 61st minute with an emphatic volley.

Javi Garcia of Manchester City clears the ball as Loic Remy of QPR closes in at Loftus Road. Picture: Mike HewittSource: Getty Images

League Cup finalists Swansea City were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland but the point was still sufficient for Michael Laudrup's men to clamber above West Bromwich Albion into eighth place.

News.com.au's Privacy Policy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted content and advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.